Russell Investments is a firm I’ve long admired—a pioneer in consulting, OCIO, and indexing for 90 years. Still innovating, we bring a multi-asset, total-portfolio approach to improving financial security.
- Zach Buchwald
01
Foundation
Purpose Before Product
In 1936, Frank Russell founded Russell Investments with a simple but powerful belief: financial security should be more achievable. This purpose has remained virtually unchanged to this day.
When George Russell Jr. took over the business, he built the company based on a principle that still defines us today — “to lead with non-negotiable integrity.”
As the firm grew, Jane Russell ensured the firm kept a genuine focus on our people: including family, community and personal goals. The culture has stayed dedicated to these principles and the belief that satisfied Russell Investment associates will translate into satisfied clients. And we still give the annual Jane Russell awards to the associate recognized for improving lives and making a difference.
All to say, our measure of success has never been what is best for Russell Investments but what is best for the client.
That conviction has driven every decision and shaped our history of invention.
That pursuit has taken us across disciplines, across geographies and across asset classes.
It has pushed us to ask better questions, build better tools and create new categories when the old ones no longer served clients.
Ninety years later, we're still climbing
02
Innovation
When Clients Asked, We Researched
If there is one constant across 90 years, it is research. Research is the means with which we invest without boundaries. And it is our natural response to client questions. Seeking the clarity amidst the complexity has lead us on new and unchartered paths.
1969
The Birth of Consulting
When we approached JCPenney to offer a solution, their response changed our trajectory: “That’s not what we need. What we really need is…”
Instead of walking away, we listened.
That moment became the foundation of investment consulting — reshaping how institutions sought advice and how we delivered it. It marked a shift from product provider to trusted partner.
1980
Pioneering OCIO
Institutional investors were overwhelmed by complexity. They needed more than advice — they needed execution.
We helped pioneer Outsourced CIO services, redefining how institutions manage governance, scale and fiduciary responsibility.
1984
Russell Indexes
The launch of the Russell Indexes didn’t just track the market — it redefined how it was segmented, benchmarked and understood.
The Russell 2000 became a lens through which small-cap investing was viewed globally.
1995
Transition Management
We recognized that portfolio transitions — often treated as operational afterthoughts — were critical moments of risk and opportunity.
So we built transition management into a disciplined capability, helping clients move billions with control and transparency.
2003
Industry-First FX Desk
Global investing required more than diversification — it required currency expertise.
Our FX desk integrated currency management into portfolio strategy, not as an add-on, but as a driver of outcomes.
On a Journey of Innovation
Solving our clients most important investment challenges for decades, now, and into the future.
Launched first retail model strategy
Launched custom portfolio solutions for retail partner firms
Launched tax-managed models
Implemented EPI
Launched METRiQ
Launched Canadian ETF Series
Launched Direct Indexing
Launched Active ETFs
03
ExPANSION
From Tacoma to the World
Global expansion was a consequence of research excellence and client trust — not growth for growth’s sake.
As our research deepened, so did our reach.
What began in the Pacific Northwest expanded into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and beyond — not through ambition alone, but through client need.
Tacoma
Seattle
Milwaukee
Toronto
New York
Dublin
London
Paris
Amsterdam
Milan
Dubai
Mumbai
Shanghai
Jeonju
Seoul
Tokyo
Sydney
Auckland
We followed investors into new markets.
We followed capital into new regions.
We followed talent wherever it lived.
But expansion wasn’t just geographic. It was human.
04
Legacy
Still climbing
Ninety years ago, we set out to make financial security more achievable. As our footprint grew, so did our commitment to our people — to the culture that sustains long-term thinking.
Today, the world is more interconnected, more complex and more dynamic than ever before. But complexity doesn’t deter us. It motivates us.
Our purpose remains clear. Our values remain firm. Our commitment to clients remains non-negotiable.
Manager research continues to be our engine.
Innovation remains our instinct.
Integrity to our people, our community and our clients remains our foundation.
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